has been difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that has been challenging. For example: "The transition to working from home has been difficult for many employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It has been difficult.

The New York Times - Sports

Construction has been difficult.

The New York Times

"It has been difficult for him.

Independent

But finding mentors has been difficult.

The New York Times

"It has been difficult with Aquilani.

Independent

Since the crisis, business has been difficult.

The New York Times

The journey has been difficult.

The Guardian

But collecting has been difficult.

The Washington Post

Life has been difficult enough".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Losing weight has been difficult.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It has been difficult to get information".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been difficult", ensure the context clearly indicates what specifically is causing the difficulty. Provide specific details or examples to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "has been difficult" without specifying what "it" refers to. Instead of saying "It has been difficult", be explicit: "The transition to the new software "has been difficult"".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been difficult" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state or quality of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly used. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in various contexts, highlighting its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been difficult" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe situations that have presented challenges over time. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is widely accepted and understandable in English. It appears most frequently in news and media, science, and business contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to provide specific context to ensure clarity. Consider alternatives like "has been challenging" or "has proven difficult" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been challenging

Replaces "difficult" with a synonym, maintaining the overall meaning.

has been problematic

Substitutes "difficult" with a term that emphasizes the presence of problems.

has proven difficult

Adds emphasis on the experience of difficulty over time.

has been tough

Uses a more informal synonym for "difficult".

has been arduous

Replaces "difficult" with a more formal and intense synonym.

has been complicated

Indicates that the difficulty stems from complexity.

has been no easy task

Rephrases to emphasize the lack of ease in the situation.

has presented difficulties

Shifts the focus to the difficulties being presented rather than the state of being difficult.

has encountered obstacles

Focuses on the obstacles faced, implying difficulty.

has not been easy

Uses a double negative to express the difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "has been difficult" in a sentence?

Use "has been difficult" to describe a challenging situation or task. For example: "Learning a new language "has been difficult", but rewarding".

What are some alternatives to saying "has been difficult"?

You can use alternatives like "has been challenging", "has been problematic", or "has proven difficult" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "has been difficult"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase uses the present perfect tense to describe something that started in the past and continues to the present.

What's the difference between "has been difficult" and "was difficult"?

"Has been difficult" implies that the difficulty started in the past and continues to the present, while "was difficult" suggests the difficulty is now resolved or no longer relevant. For example, "The project "has been difficult"" means it's still ongoing, whereas "The project was difficult" indicates it's completed.